Ernest Don Francis James Dainty (Don), age 93, passed on to the spiritual world on July 26, 2024, at Robertson House Retirement Residence in Bells Corners (Ottawa), Ontario. He is survived by his loving wife, Diana; son, Eric; daughter, Catherine Carry; son-in-law, John Pyl and previous son-in-law, Del Carry; and grandchildren, Tessa and Aleqa Carry.
Don was born to Ernest H. and Gertrude Dainty on June 1, 1931, in Toronto, Ontario. He grew up in Forest Hill Village attending the University of Toronto Schools for boys. He was a boy soprano in an Anglican church choir and studied piano (his father was a Chopin Master, composer and conductor whom Gertrude managed). Don completed his BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering at the U of T and married Diana in 1956 (68 years!) before moving together to St. Catharines, Ontario to assist the Bahá'í community and begin his engineering career. Then in 1962 he, Diana, and young children moved to the Ottawa area where he joined the federal government. He ultimately became principal scientist at the Mines Branch of Energy, Mines and Resources working to improve mine and diesel engine safety until the age of 60 and then part-time until 70. He traveled widely to share the research findings and investigated two of Canada's mine disasters.
He volunteered for community groups wherever he lived. He studied the Holy Bible extensively writing numerous documents and a few publications relating his research to the Bahá'í Writings. He delivered numerous talks on these and other spiritual subjects. Don deeply loved Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet Founder of the Bahá'í Faith and tried to emulate and share His teachings throughout his life. Don had a positive and encouraging influence on all who crossed his path, taking an interest in everyone he met. He loved to help all ages with their education. He was a great dad!
His favorite place was the Westport Cottage where he loved to mow the grass on his John Deere tractor, build things and with Diana, entertain the numerous guests that passed through.
Visitation: Funeral Cooperative of Ottawa, 419 St. Laurent Blvd., Tuesday, July 30 from 4-6:00 pm.
Funeral service and reception: Wed., July 31, First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Avenue beginning at 11:00 am.
Burial: Pinecrest Cemetery, Wed. July 31 at 1:30 pm – Section 7 Plot 874
Donations in Don's memory can be made to:
The International Programs at the Canadian Red Cross that seek to prevent or alleviate human suffering.
See redcross.ca or call 1-800-418-1111
For Bahá'ís, please consider
The Humanitarian Relief Fund
-or- Providence Point Learning Center by check to the Ottawa Bahá'í Fund, 211 McArthur Ave., Ottawa ON K1L 6P6 or e-transfer to treasury@bahai-ottawa.org